I have been watching a film today named "The Invisible Man", year 1984. And in the second episode i have listened next: "I said... don't touch nothing". It isn't grammatically correctly, is it?
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Nope, it isn't. But it's a movie, purporting to represent the vernacular of several different characters from varied backgrounds.– Hot LicksCommented May 22, 2016 at 20:11
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Related and possible duplicate: Double negative– Andrew LeachCommented May 22, 2016 at 20:18
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2It's not correct in formal English, but it's not an uncommon construct in informal English. Native English speakers will understand "don't touch nothing" to mean "don't touch anything".– nnnnnnCommented May 23, 2016 at 1:28
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2 Answers
People say that.
We might get taught in schools not to say it. But to some people it's the natural way to talk. It's not ungrammatical to them.
It would probably be ungrammatical on a test of so-called standard English. But who decides what is standard? The test makers and those with socioeconomic power.